Abstract
The low-temperature phase coexistence of size-asymmetric primitive model electrolyte solutions has been investigated by means of Monte Carlo simulations. Binodal curves and critical parameters are reported as a function of size ratio in the range 0.05 to 1. Both the critical temperature and the critical density are found to decrease as decreases. These trends are in conflict with available theoretical predictions. For highly asymmetric systems, the depression of the critical parameters is accompanied by the formation of large chainlike and ringlike structures, thereby giving rise to considerable finite-size effects.
- Received 8 August 2000
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.86.2054
©2001 American Physical Society